First kidney transplant to be broadcast live to a UK audience at the Science Museum's Dana Centre, London

05.02.2007

First kidney transplant to be broadcast live to a UK audience at the Dana Centre / For the first time, a live kidney transplant operation will be broadcast to a public audience in the UK.

Visitors to the Dana Centre in London - the Science Museum’s adults-only venue for discussing contemporary science, medicine and technology - will have the opportunity to not only watch live surgery as a kidney is transplanted from a living donor to recipient, but also to direct questions to the surgical team in the USA whilst the operation takes place.

The surgery will be broadcast live to the Science Museum’s Dana Centre from Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey as part of the award-winning educational programme developed by the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Live Kidney Transplant is one in a programme of vibrant and innovative events at the Dana Centre and follows two previous live operations – a heart bypass and brain surgery - broadcast live at the Centre in 2004.

Using teleconferencing, the audience will observe the laparoscopic removal of the donor kidney, preparation of the kidney and its implantation into the recipient.

Liberty Science Center’s Director of Online Education Nancy Butnick will be present at the Dana Centre to explain the background of the case, describing procedures, and acting as moderator of questions to surgeons, nurses and anaesthesiologist.

Shamkant Mulgaonkar M.D.,Chief of the Transplant Division, Saint Barnabas Health Care System will be present in London for further discussion of the live surgery. A highly regarded expert in kidney and pancreas transplants, Dr Mulgaonkar will be on hand to answer questions from the audience

The audience will also have access to many of the surgical instruments used during the operation, clinical models of the kidney and renal system during the operation.

Kat Nilsson, Programmes Manager at the Science Museum’s Dana Centre said: “Live Kidney Transplant is a wonderful and unique opportunity for the public to really find out what goes on in a surgical theatre by talking directly to the surgical team, as well as find out more out kidney disease and transplants. The Dana Centre is dedicated to making science relevant to everybody in innovative ways and we hope this will be an inspiring and fascinating event.”

Live Kidney Transplant

- Tuesday 6 February, 19.00-21:00
- Dana Centre, 165 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5HD
- Nearest tube is Gloucester Road
- Our events are open to anyone aged 18 and over. Most events are free, but places should be pre-booked by calling 020 7942 4040 or e-mailing tickets@danacentre.org.uk
- People across the UK and beyond can experience live events by webcast and more on www.danacentre.org.uk